Omar Murillo, interim coordinator of the TRiO Student Support Services program, was named a Kika de la Garza Education Fellow for 2015.

The program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is named for the Texas Congressman and former chairman of the House Agriculture Committee.

Faculty and staff from Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) have the opportunity to experience first-hand the policymaking process by meeting with USDA staff members and connecting with federal agencies such as the departments of Education and Housing and Urban Development, and the National Science Foundation.

Murillo will be in Washington from June 17 through July 2.

Learning about government internship opportunities for students is on his agenda. "And I hope to learn about funding opportunities for our campus, and get information on the variety of career opportunities available within the USDA and other government agencies," he said. Kelly Locke, a member of the math faculty and director of Title V grants at Hartnell College in Salinas, is also a Fellow. "Kelly and I are excited to improve collaborations with our institutions – organizing workshops to inform students and the community about funding,

internship and career opportunities."

Murillo came to CSUMB in 2009 as a retention specialist for the TRiO Student Support Services program and assumed his current position in 2014. He holds a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from CSUMB, a master’s in education with a concentration in counseling from San Jose State University and is pursing a doctorate in educational leadership at San Francisco State.

His previous work experience includes a stint as a content specialist with the Homeland Security Digital Library at the Naval Postgraduate School.

CSUMB’s Student Support Services contributes to the success of first-generation, low-income students and individuals with disabilities by helping them overcome barriers to higher education.